According to the prosecutor's office, the investigation concerns the couple's long-term contacts with the American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who was involved in their financial affairs. Due to undisclosed relations with the American, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide withdrew Juul from the facility in Amman on Sunday.
What charges did Mona Juul face?
Who was Mona Juul's husband?
What are the consequences for the accused?
What contacts took place between Epstein and Roed-Larsen?
Investigators are to investigate whether Epstein used Juul and Roed-Larsen's position to further his own interests. The disclosed documents of the US authorities show that in 2015, Epstein tried to establish contact with the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund, the so-called Oljefondet, in connection with the planned takeover of the American company Cushman & Wakefield. The fund's then authorities, quoted by e24 magazine, denied that such contact had ultimately taken place.
The suspects deny the allegations. They face up to 10 years in prison
The prosecutor's office will also investigate the purchase of an apartment in a prestigious district of Oslo by a married couple of diplomats for half the market value. According to the media, the transaction was carried out with Epstein's intercession.
The prosecutor's office also announced that it would investigate Epstein's financial contacts with the International Peace Institute think tank headed by Roed-Larsen, which received funds from foundations linked to the financier. The leaked documents reportedly indicate that the Norwegian was recommended to Epstein by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak as a valuable contact for reaching the Israeli intelligence community.
Mona Juul and Roed-Larsen's attorneys, quoted by the daily Aftenposten, rejected the allegations. For serious corruption, a married couple of diplomats may face up to 10 years in prison.
The suspects played important roles in Norwegian diplomacy
The suspected spouses are among Norway's most recognized diplomats. They were behind the negotiation of the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1994, establishing the Palestinian Authority. Juul later headed the Norwegian embassy in the UK and served as Norway's permanent representative to the United Nations.
In separate proceedings, the prosecutor's office is investigating Epstein's contacts with former Prime Minister of Norway and former Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjoern Jagland. On Wednesday, the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Council in Strasbourg will decide on whether to lift Jagland's immunity. At the same time, the World Economic Forum in Davos initiated an investigation into its head, Norwegian politician Boerge Brende, in connection with his contacts with Epstein.
